FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Two hundred people had signs in one hand and an umbrella in the other when they attended anti-violence rally at Centennial Park Tuesday evening.
"United we stand, divided we fall," said Jessica Reed, as she held up a sign in tribute to Heather Heyer, the woman who died during the white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Everyone who participated in the vigil were still stunned about what took place over the weekend.
"We saw hate personified with the people who were creating so much havoc causing injury and death," said Rusty May, after the vigil begun. "Just embarrassing our nation with what they stand for," he added.
Heyer's photos floated around the crowd. Those gathered held a moment of silence for her and others who were hurt, but then took to the microphone.
The most inspiring sign for some weren't the creative posters, or the anti-Nazi pins, but the fact this event came to be because of a couple of determined young women.
"This gives you the hopefulness of the future that people are willing to stand up to this thing," said Yoseph Tedros, the chair for the Lee County Democrats.
Tuesday's rally was one of hundreds planned across the country over the next few days. Groups will be meeting everywhere from Colorado Springs to Boston to protest racism and hate. The Fort Myers rally comes a day after one was hosted by a church in Naples.
